I'm tired. It's still so sickly hot and humid. I could end this post right here because that would sum up my week {and many of you probably would probably thank me--ha ha}. I put off speed work earlier in the week because I couldn't breathe in the muck. It wasn't much better on Friday but I managed a little mixed bag of speed work by tossing in a few tempo miles plus several 1/2 mile repeats. I did have a nice bike ride on Thursday morning.

Note to self: Take off previous day's eye shadow before commencing to sweat.

Happy National Dog Day to these two nuts: Mojo and Mini.

Honestly, I was not looking forward to the 18 miles I needed to run over the weekend. I went ahead with that run on Saturday instead of my usual Sunday. I.Dug.Deep. It.Got.Done. I ran every step in a new pair of Mizuno Wave Inspires. This is my go-to shoe so I did not break them in. I had been trying out Mizuno's new Catalyst model but felt there wasn't enough ankle support for me on really long runs. I'll keep wearing the Catalyst for shorter runs and races as they are comfy and somewhat lighter than the Inspires.

They'll be a nice shade of light gray very soon!

Our oldest son was competing in Saturday's Dragon Boat races. This is an all day event including multiple elimination rounds. It's a big draw for our city with numerous teams involved. His team took silver in their division. But icky, it was so unbelievably, unrelentingly hot. After sweating through my 18 miler, and sweating all afternoon spectating -- I was toast.

The Dragon Slay-Oars (boat #2) narrowly wins their 2nd race of the day.

We went to the lake Sunday morning but experienced a minor electrical problem in the boat (it's always something!). Sadly, there was no water skiing. Hopefully I can make that up one day this week. I did capture some great pictures of the cloud formations.

I've tried hard to stay positive and not whine, but I hope for a break in the weather soon because I honestly feel I'm at my breaking point. ... If I hear that weatherman say triple digit heat indexes one more time ...

I've never heard of Dragon boat racing! Great job on getting 18 miles in. I don't know how you do it in this weather! I love Mizunos! I currently wear the Wave Riders and Wave enigma. Are the inspires a stability shoe?

As far as breaking in new running shoes...I have not had to do that joyful little thing with my Brooks Adrenalines. How do you like the new Inspires? How do they compare to the previous models? As you know, I totally LOVED my 8's...and then skipped a couple models and went to the 10's (I think? the mint ones? and salmon-colored ones?) I liked the 10's, but they had been tweaked just enough that my feet weren't 100% as happy with them as the others. #bummed #stillhopingtogobacktoMizunos

I've been in the Inspires for so long! They made a few mistakes trying to improve new generations along the way but always corrected them the next year. I like the 11's -- this is my 3rd pair. I haven't tried the 12's yet (waiting for the sale).

We used to watch the dragon Boat races when we lived in Philly. Schools from all over the country would participate. You had a great week of mileage! I know it's tiring! I keep asking myself, who signed up for this marathon?!?!? I like your new shoes!

You did amazing HoHo, you logged in some awesome mileage during this hot and sticky weather. So not easy - don't worry it will all pay off at the Marathon! Your Mizunos look super comfortable - they look like they have great arch support!Congrats to your son and his division for getting silver! After running 18 mile in the heat you really do feel like toast - I ran 10 miles yesterday along the beach and I was practically finished for the rest of the day! Awesome pic of the clouds! I hope everything will be ok with the boat! Have a great (Running) week HoHo!

I'm with you on the triple digit heat! It's ridiculous! You did a great job getting in your runs in the heat! I love your new shoes! And I love shoes that you don't have to break in. I never have to break in my Brooks! Great job and have a great week!

I think they recorded our weatherman and replayed the same forecast for weeks on end. I did break in the Catalystsince they were a new shoe for me. But my new tried and true Inspires feel just like all the others I've owned.

Congrats to your son! They do Dragon Boat races on the Potomac near my office sometimes - very fun to watch - but not all day in triple digit weather. Good for you for getting it done. Sometimes that's all you can ask of yourself!

This event has really caught on here in the last few years. Some teams train all year for the win. And some teams are just in it for the fun. I can't imagine being in those life vests in this heat and NOT being in the water.

Oh my, I've tried just about every brand of running shoes out there EXCEPT Mizuno!! Now you have me wanting to try them! :) I have been running in Newtons for several years now and as much as I love them, I'm always open to trying new ones... I have yet to find THE perfect shoe for my finicky feet. I've never watched dragon boat races, but it does look fun! You guys have beautiful lakes around there!

I've not been to a dragon boat race but it sure looks cool. I am right there sweating with you and am at the breaking point. If the heat doesn't break soon I'm running the half. There I said it. With new shoes that are the same I always wear, I'll do a couple shorter runs before going long. Just to be sure. Sorry about the electrical issue. Hope it is resolved! Thanks for the linkup!

This weather is so ridiculous and I cannot wait until Fall weather coms so we have cooler run! I'm also a big fan of Mizuno sneakers. I've been wearing the Mizuno Wave Inspire 10s for 2 years ( I loved them so much that I bought a few extra pairs last year when they were on sale!). I also have the 11s as well.

Great job on your long run this weekend! I had an awful long run this Saturday and had to dig deep so I totally understand how you felt!

I don't know what a dragon boat race is LOL ! I break in my shoes slightly, even if I keep buying the same model. It was 100 degrees here all week, but we don't get the humidity you do. Good for you for getting it done, I know the heat has been brutal.

I had not heard of dragon boat racing either until a few years ago. It's turned into a really big event here with many corporate teams. You have to have at least 8 women in the boat too. Yes, the heat has been brutal.

I'm beginning to think tired is just a way of life. If I'm rested, I go do something super hard that makes me tired. LOL. It's a vicious cycle. The shoestrings are what I'd always fiddle with most on a new pair of shoes. It was hard to get them tied exactly right.

I have never seen dragon boat races, but they sound really neat, congrats to your son and his team! The heat gave us a break this last week and it was really welcome. We had days in the 70s! Sadly the heat came back over the weekend. I am so ready for fall weather!

Wow, what a great week! 18 miles in the summer heat and humidity is quite an accomplishment. I'm a fellow Mizuno Wave Inspire wearer. I've tried the Catalysts, but like you, don't find that they have enough support, particularly for longer runs.

Saturday was hazy when I was doing my errands, and I could feel it all when I was on the treadmill. I have an inhaler for days like Saturday, but I don't like to use it because it makes me feel jittery. After I get my heartrate back down, my breathing's fine.

I can totally relate! That's exactly how I felt last week. When you're training in such intense heat and humid, day after day, week after week, month after month, it really gets to you. The thing I keep telling myself is that a) it can't last forever and b) race dat is going to feel so much better! Great job toughing it out!

It looks like you had a great week of training despite the heat and humidity. You're right though, those conditions are rough and they do require more recovery and the occasional unplanned rest day. Better to take a rest day now than to get heat exhaustion or so worn out that you have to take weeks or months off.

I love the new shoes but white doesn't work for me either! They will get super dirty quickly but hey, they're running shoes and that's what they're for, not for looking super cute and clean!

18 mi in the heat - yes you have a reason to whine! :) Hope you catch a break this week. There's a Dragon boat race out here in San Diego but never stayed to watch one. I remember I was out for a run when I saw the dragon boats out in the water. Thought it was pretty cool. Congrats to your son!

Like you, I usually only worry about breaking in new running shoes if they're completely new-to-me styles. It's been really hot and humid here, but I'm sure it's much worse farther south where you live. I think everyone is looking a little extra forward to fall this year.

I've never been to a Dragon Boat race, at least I don't think. But I rowed for many years, so I always see them practicing. I would think the race would get more exciting towards the end. It probably takes a minute or so to get the boat really up to speed, I bet those suckers are HEAVY!

The Catalyst is a great shoe, but unless you have a more neutral foot, I would only recommend it for speed work or short, fast runs. I also use it for cycling, since I don't clip in and need something light with minimal cushion.

There is a dragon boat group where I live, and I thought it looked fascinating. I will have to look to see when they go out next.

Great job on the 18 miles, especially in the heat! I know it can be draining on some. Plus you have that humidity there that throws a whole new crazy factor into it.I don't mind the heat, but I am in the desert even more than before so it's super dry. I am actually sitting here right now hoping the 110 degrees drops to 100 in a few hours so I can go for a little more comfortable run, LOL Even loving the heat I can't bring myself to go out running in 110 yet, LOL LOLDragon Boat Racing, oh that is just awesome! No, I've never heard of it before, if we had that here I'd so be in, LOL So fun!

Congrats to your son! That is great the team placed :) I am so proud of you for getting 18 done! I can't imagine speed work in it. I am at that point I am afraid that I have run out juice. All I can do is shuffle around in this mess. It is okay to be over it, it has been a long summer. I have run a half in a brand new shoe lol if you know they work, why not :) even though it breaks a rule about nothing new.

Way to push through all the heat and humidity, and in getting that 18-miler done!!! Hurray for new shoes, too!!! Dragon boat racing is no joke. I did it once with a team and it is a lot harder than it looks. Bummer that the boat was having mechanical issues, hopefully you'll be back out on your water skiis VERY soon!!!

Mojo and Mini are so cute! I am so over the heat and humidity, too. I really am trying not to wish summer away because I don't want rain and snow (Ohio fall/winter), but it's to hot to enjoy every run. Love your cloud photo. I've realized I really enjoy photographing the sky these days... ;)

I don't want to wish away my water skiing, for sure. But I just need a little break for my running. Obviously, I'm not a big selfie taker but I enjoy taking pictures of what I see. You always have good cloud pictures!

I'm curious, how do you feel your training for Chicago is compared to last year? Wouldn't it be amazing if it would turn out to be perfect running weather for your race?I hope you got the boat fix, for yours and PoPo's sake. If Greg peters out on me for the Kayak race, don't you want to come step in, lol.